The Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) is once again taking action to combat hunger among children during the summer months. Starting in June and running through August, CAHSD's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) aims to provide free, nutritious meals to young individuals, aged 18 and under across Miami-Dade County. In an effort to expand its reach, CAHSD is actively seeking local organizations willing to serve as partners and site locations for the distribution of these meals to the community.
Given the critical need for such services, especially when schools are closed, the initiative is a lifeline for many. The program, which draws financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and operates under the supervision of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, caters to all youth without consideration of income, race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin. Organizers are setting high standards for health and safety protocols, offering both hot and cold meals prepared from fresh, locally sourced foods to be consumed on-site where the meals are distributed.
According to the Miami-Dade County press release, the program’s schedule is set from June 9 to August 13, 2025. As hunger does not take a summer break, the availability of these meals plays a key role in filling the nutritional gap many children face when schools, which often provide regular meals, are closed.
CAHSD representatives Dawn Beckford and Susanne DeMatas provide details on how to become a participating site. Interested organizations can visit the county's website to complete an application. As summer approaches, residents can call 211 to find a list of participating sites, ensuring all children have access to healthy food during the break.
